Gitanjali Angmo, wife of prominent climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, recently visited her husband in Jodhpur jail. Wangchuk was detained following the violent clashes that occurred in Leh on September 24. Accompanied by lawyer Ritam Khare, Ms. Angmo met her husband on Tuesday, October 7, and shared updates via a post on X shortly after midnight.
In her social media update, Ms. Angmo stated, “Met Sonam Wangchuk today with Ritam Khare and got the detention order which we will challenge. His spirit is undaunted. His commitment resolute! His resilience intact! He conveys heartfelt thanks to all for their support and solidarity. #SatyamevaJayate #FreeSonamWangchuk”.
The legal team for Mr. Wangchuk has successfully obtained the official detention order, which they intend to challenge in court. This document details the allegations against him and the reasons for invoking the National Security Act.
Prior to Ms. Angmo’s visit, Mr. Wangchuk’s brother, Tsetan Dorje, and lawyer Mustafa Haji also met him in jail on Saturday. Following this meeting, Mr. Haji revealed on X that Mr. Wangchuk has demanded an independent judicial inquiry into the tragic deaths of four individuals during last month’s protests. He expressed his willingness to remain incarcerated until such an inquiry is thoroughly conducted. It is also worth noting that Ms. Angmo had previously written to President Murmu, advocating for her husband’s release and requesting intervention regarding what she described as a ‘witch-hunt’.
Ms. Angmo has formally filed a petition with the Supreme Court, seeking her husband’s immediate release, with a hearing set for October 14. Mr. Wangchuk’s detention under the National Security Act came after violent confrontations in Ladakh during a protest advocating for statehood and the inclusion of the Union Territory under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. Following his initial detention, he was transferred from Delhi to Jodhpur Central Jail on September 26.